The History of the Old Kent Road, Ceramic mural in Peckham, United Kingdom.
The History of the Old Kent Road is a ceramic mural on the former North Peckham Civic Centre walls that shows different periods of development along this historic London route. The artwork displays scenes from medieval times through to the modern era, visually documenting how the street evolved and changed over centuries.
Polish artist Adam Kossowski created this mural in 1964, incorporating scenes from Roman times through to contemporary London. The artwork received Grade II listed status, recognizing its importance as a historical and artistic record of the street's evolution.
The mural depicts how the Old Kent Road shaped London communities across different periods, showing trade, pilgrimage, and daily life. You can see how this street was central to people's routines and identities in the neighborhood.
The mural is located on a publicly accessible wall of the former civic centre in Peckham and can be viewed during daylight hours. The site is well served by public transport and sits in a walkable part of the neighborhood, making it easy to combine with visits to nearby streets and shops.
This mural was an early example of public art used to document local history, created before such installations became common practice. It stands as evidence of how an artist combined ceramics and storytelling to preserve neighborhood heritage in a creative way.
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